If you manage a shop, run marketing, teach full-time, or guide a membership department, this is the time of year where one phrase becomes incredibly true:
2026 is already happening.
Budgets are being shaped. Programs are being designed. Staff schedules, capital plans, and vendor commitments are all in motion.
And the operations that consistently grow aren’t more talented — they’re more intentional.
This week’s Grow Golf is built to give you a simple, powerful framework for that intentionality. Not just for you personally, but for any professionals you manage or lead.
So, let’s get your 2026 planning started. Let's Grow Golf.
-Rich
Why Intentional Goal-Setting Matters
Intentional goals do three things inside a golf operation:
1. They create clarity.
Professionals perform their best when they understand expectations and priorities.
2. They shape culture.
When teams align around clear goals, daily work feels purposeful — not chaotic.
3. They establish meaningful accountability.
Not punitive. Not micromanagement. Just shared direction and consistent follow-through.
If You Manage People...Pay attention
Leaders can get the most out of this process by:
- Scheduling a 30–45 minute meeting with each staff member
- Walking through the reflective and forward-looking questions together
- Co-creating goals instead of dictating them
- Connecting individual goals to club-wide objectives
- Establishing a simple reporting rhythm (monthly check-ins, quarterly reviews)
- Celebrating visible progress and wins
Leadership isn’t about managing people — it’s about building systems that help them thrive.
These questions give you the structure to do that.
2026 Reflective & Forward-Looking Question Sets
Below are the clean, role-specific, ready-to-use questions for merchandising, marketing, teaching, and membership that you can apply at your club. If you don't know the answers to the 2025 Lookback questions, I'd highly recommend spending time to answer them!
1. MERCHANDISERS
The golf shop is one of the most visible and dynamic touchpoints in the entire operation. What you choose to stock, how you tell the product story, and how well you forecast demand shape the member experience every day. These questions help you step back, evaluate the year, and build a sharper, more strategic merchandising plan for 2026.
Reflective Questions (2025 Lookback)
- Where did we lose margin this year, and what caused it?
- Which vendors performed best (and worst), and why?
- Which categories exceeded expectations or underperformed?
- What feedback did members repeatedly give about the shop?
- Where did inventory get backed up or turn too slowly?
- Which merchandising decisions created excitement or better experience?
- What reporting or data did we underutilize?
Forward-Looking Questions (2026 Planning)
- Which categories should grow, shrink, or rebalance next year?
- What new brands or exclusive drops should we consider?
- How can we strengthen forecasting and pre-book discipline?
- What member experiences or shop activations should we introduce?
- Which vendor partnerships should we elevate or reevaluate?
- What inventory processes need rebuilding?
- What measurable goals define success in the shop next year?
2. MARKETERS
Marketing is the engine that connects the club’s story to its members, prospects, and community. From content strategy to event promotion, this role thrives when it balances creativity with consistency and data. These questions are designed to help you identify what worked, what didn’t, and what opportunities 2026 holds.
Reflective Questions (2025 Lookback)
- Which channels (email, social, paid, events) performed best?
- Where were we reactive instead of proactive with campaigns?
- What storytelling or content resonated the most?
- Which events struggled due to poor promotion or timing?
- Where were members under-informed or confused?
- Which analytics did we track — and which were missing?
- What tasks consumed effort without driving results?
Forward-Looking Questions (2026 Planning)
- What content should we publish consistently next year?
- Where can we automate communication (reminders, surveys, welcome flows)?
- What new storytelling series could elevate the club brand?
- What’s our plan for improving lead generation and conversions?
- How can we personalize member communication more effectively?
- Which events need a new marketing strategy?
- What metrics will define marketing success?
3. TEACHING PROFESSIONALS
Teaching professionals play a unique role: part coach, part communicator, part program designer. Your success comes from both the progress your students make and the structure you build around your teaching business. These questions will help you refine your offerings, improve efficiency, and create more impact in 2026.
Reflective Questions (2025 Lookback)
- Who were my most successful students — and why?
- Which lesson types or programs filled consistently?
- Where did I become overbooked or underbooked?
- What technology did I use well, and what did I ignore?
- Which student groups grew or declined (beginners, juniors, women, competitive players)?
- What processes slowed scheduling, communication, or billing?
- When did I feel energized — versus burned out?
Forward-Looking Questions (2026 Planning)
- What new programs should I build for retention and revenue?
- What skills or tools should I improve or adopt?
- How can I build better curriculum for ongoing students?
- What role should technology play in my coaching next year?
- How can I improve onboarding for new students?
- How should I structure my schedule for income and balance?
- What measurable improvements should I help students achieve?
4. MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORS
Membership drives the financial heartbeat of the club, and how you attract, onboard, and retain members defines the culture. This role succeeds through strong systems, clear communication, and memorable early experiences. These questions help you analyze 2025 patterns and build a stronger, more connected membership strategy for the year ahead.
Reflective Questions (2025 Lookback)
- Why did members leave this year, and what patterns emerged?
- What onboarding steps delighted or disappointed new members?
- Where did prospective members stall in the sales process?
- Which events best drove engagement and connection?
- Where did communication break down or feel unclear?
- What feedback did members repeatedly share?
- What processes felt outdated or inefficient?
Forward-Looking Questions (2026 Planning)
- How can we improve the 0–90 day onboarding journey?
- What signature member events should we create for 2026?
- How can we measure and strengthen engagement year-round?
- How can we improve tour → application → member conversions?
- What communication cadence should we standardize next year?
- How can we build a more predictable renewal pipeline?
- What data or reporting systems need to be created?
The Bottom Line
Let's keep it simple, you don’t need a complicated planning process. You just need the right questions — and the discipline to ask them now.
Use these question to guide your own planning, your staff's goals, and to help build a clearer, more organized, more effective 2026.
As always, thank you for being a subscriber to Grow Golf. Always available for questions and feedback. Just reply to this email or send me a note at hello@growgolf.co
